This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/591,438 filed Nov. 28, 2017, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The disclosure relates to commonly owned and assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos.:

62/342384, filed May 27, 2016, entitled “BIOACTIVE ALUMINOBORATE GLASSES”;

62/342377, filed May 27, 2016, entitled “MAGNETIZABLE GLASS CERAMIC COMPOSITION AND METHODS THEREOF”;

62/342381, filed May 27, 2016, entitled “LITHIUM DISILICATE GLASS-CERAMIC COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS THEREOF”;

62/342391, filed May 27, 2016), entitled “BIODEGRADABLE MICROBEADS”;

62/342411, filed May 27, 2016, entitled “BIOACTIVE GLASS MICROSPHERES”; and

62/342426, filed May 27, 2016, entitled “BIOACTIVE BOROPHOSPHATE GLASSES”; but does not claim priority thereto.

The disclosure also relates, but does not claim priority to, commonly owned and assigned patent applications:

61/941677, entitled “ANTIMICROBIAL GLASS COMPOSITIONS, GLASSES AND ARTICLES INCORPORATING THE SAME”, and

61/941690, entitled “ANTIMICROBIAL GLASS COMPOSITIONS, GLASSES AND POLYMERIC ARTICLES INCORPORATING THE SAME,” both filed Feb. 19, 2014, both mention Cu containing compositions having articles having antimicrobial properties; and

Corning patent application Ser. No. 14/623674, now US Pat Pub. 20150239772, entitled “LOW CRYSTALLINITY GLASS-CERAMICS”, which mentions crystallisable glasses and glass-ceramics that exhibit a black color and are opaque.

The present application is also related commonly owned and assigned U.S. Ser. No. Application Nos.:

62/591,423 filed Nov. 28, 2017, entitled “BIOACTIVE GLASS COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS OF TREATING DENTIN HYPERSENSITIVITY”;

62/591,446 filed Nov. 28, 2017, entitled “HIGH LIQUIDUS VISCOSITY BIOACTIVE GLASS”; and

62/591,429, filed Nov. 28, 2017, entitled “BIOACTIVE BORATE GLASS AND METHODS THEREOF”, filed concurrently herewith, but does not claim priority thereto.

The entire disclosure of each publication or patent document mentioned herein is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to chemically strengthened bioactive glass-ceramics, and method of making and using the glass-ceramics.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making a glass-ceramic article, including a chemical strengthening process that improves the flexural strength of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramic articles can be ion exchanged in, for example, NaNO₃or KNO₃for a suitable time. Both Li₂O and Na₂O ions in the residual glass can be ion exchanged.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a chemically strengthened bioactive glass-ceramic based on lithium disilicate, apatite, and wollastonite.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic article having a flexural strength of over 1000 MPa, which strength can be achieved after ion exchange. The strength is comparable to ZrO₂ceramics.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides an ion-exchanged glass-ceramics having bioactivity that is retained even after the ion-exchange strengthening process.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides glass-ceramic compositions having lithium disilicate as the primary major crystal phase, and at least one of wollastonite, fluorapatite, cristobalite, β-quartz, lithiophosphate, or mixtures thereof as minor phases. The compositions can comprise, for example, 50 to 75% SiO₂, 1 to 5% Al₂O₃, 0.1 to 10% B₂O₃, 5 to 20% Li₂O, 0.5 to 5% Na₂O, 0 to 4% K₂O, 0.5 to 8% ZrO₂, and 0.1 to 1.0% F⁻ (i.e., fluoride ion) (i.e., fluoride ion), based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In embodiments of the disclosure:

FIG. 1 shows a comparison of flexural strength of a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (i.e., Example composition 9) before (dots) and after (squares) ion exchange.

FIG. 2 shows a comparison of flexural strength of selected comparative materials (e.g., 200 to 260 as defined herein) used for biomedical applications including an ion-exchanged glass-ceramic of the presently disclosed composition (270).

FIGS. 3A to 3I show a cell culture study on glass-ceramics before (3A to 3C) and after ion-exchanging (“IOX”) (3D to 3F).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings, if any. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments of the claimed invention.

In embodiments, the disclosed method of making and using provide one or more advantageous features or aspects, including for example as discussed below. Features or aspects recited in any of the claims are generally applicable to all facets of the invention. Any recited single or multiple feature or aspect in any one claim can be combined or permuted with any other recited feature or aspect in any other claim or claims.

Definitions

“IOX,” “IX,” “IOXing,” “IOX'ed,” “IOX'd,” “ion-exchange,” “ion-exchanged,” “ion-exchanging,” or like terms refer to the ion exchange of ions, partially or completely, on at least a portion of the glass or glass-ceramic surface, on one or both sides as specified, with different ions such as an ion having a larger atomic radius compared to the exchanged ions such as K⁺ ions exchanged (i.e., replacing) for Na⁺ ions (see also, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,790,430, and 3,778,335).

“Glass,” “glass-ceramic,” or like terms can refer to the disclosed glass precursor or the disclosed glass-ceramic product compositions that has been either strengthened or un-strengthened.

“Glass article,” “glass-ceramic article,” or like terms can refer to any object made wholly or partly of any of the disclosed glass or glass-ceramic compositions.

“Bioactivity Index” “index of bioactivity,” “I_B,” or like terms or symbols refer to, for example, the time for more than 50% of the interface of a specific bioactive material to be bonded by a biological material such as bone, tissue, and like materials. Mathematically, a bioactivity index (according to Hench; see Cao, W., et al., Bioactive Materials, Ceramics International, 22 (1996) 493-507) is, I_B=100/t_0.5bb, where t_0.5bbis the time for more than 50% of a bioactive material's interface, such as an implant, to be bonded by a biological material such as bone, tissue, and like materials, including osteoproductive (Class A having both intracellular and extracellular responses, e.g., 45S5 Bioglass®) and osteoconductive (Class B extracellular response only at interface, e.g., synthetic hydroxyapatite) materials.

“Include,” “includes,” or like terms means encompassing but not limited to, that is, inclusive and not exclusive.

“About” modifying, for example, the quantity of an ingredient in a composition, concentrations, volumes, process temperature, process time, yields, flow rates, pressures, viscosities, and like values, and ranges thereof, or a dimension of a component, and like values, and ranges thereof, employed in describing the embodiments of the disclosure, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example: through typical measuring and handling procedures used for preparing materials, compositions, composites, concentrates, component parts, articles of manufacture, or use formulations; through inadvertent error in these procedures;

through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of starting materials or ingredients used to carry out the methods; and like considerations. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to aging of a composition or formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture, and amounts that differ due to mixing or processing a composition or formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The indefinite article “a” or “an” and its corresponding definite article “the” as used herein means at least one, or one or more, unless specified otherwise.

Abbreviations, which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, may be used (e.g., “h” or “hrs” for hour or hours, “g” or “gm” for gram(s), “mL” for milliliters, and “rt” for room temperature, “nm” for nanometers, and like abbreviations).

Specific and preferred values disclosed for components, ingredients, additives, dimensions, conditions, times, and like aspects, and ranges thereof, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges. The composition and methods of the disclosure can include any value or any combination of the values, specific values, more specific values, and preferred values described herein, including explicit or implicit intermediate values and ranges.

Bioactive materials with high strength and toughness are in significant demand for the regeneration of bone and teeth. Glass-ceramics based on lithium disilicate offer desirable mechanical properties, including high body strength and fracture toughness, due to their microstructures of randomly-oriented interlocking crystals. Flexural strength in the range of 300 to 400 MPa is reported for lithium disilicate glass-ceramics (W. Holand, et al., A Comparison of the Microstructure and Properties of the IPS EmpressT2 and the IPS EmpressT Glass-Ceramics, J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater), 2000, 53: 297-303; W. Liena, et al., Microstructural evolution and physical behavior of a lithium disilicate glass-ceramic, Dent Mater 2015, 31: 928-940), which makes them suitable for applications in in the fabrication of single and multiple dental restorations. Furthermore, the superior aesthetics and the ability to form a monolithic structure make lithium disilicate a viable option for dental patients. However, the low flexural strength of lithium disilicate makes them less suitable for applications where stress concentration can be high (see Zhang Y., et al., Chipping resistance of graded zirconia ceramics for dental crowns. J Dent Res, 2012, 91:311-315). In comparison, ZrO₂ceramics are reported to have a flexural strength over 1000 MPa (see Zhang supra., and F. Succaria, et al., Prescribing a dental ceramic material: Zirconia vs lithium-disilicate. Saudi Dent J, 2011, 23: 165-166). They can be used as multi-unit bridges for dental restoration. However, the lack of high translucency and the lower ability to match the appearance of natural teeth remain challenges for ZrO₂ceramics in dental restorations (see Succaria, supra.). There is a significant need of glass-ceramics having improved strength while maintaining their: aesthetic attributes, ease in forming, and machine ability.

Glass strengthening by ion exchange (chemical tempering) has been widely used to improve the mechanical strength and product reliabilities in a variety of glass and glass-ceramics (see R. Gy, “Ion exchange for glass strengthening,” Mater Sci Eng B, 2008, 149: 159-165; and R. J. Araujo, “Strengthening glass by ion exchange,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,790A, 1997).—In this process, glass articles are immersed into a molten alkali salt at a temperature below the glass transition to allow the alkali ions from the glass surface to exchange for those from the molten salt. The larger ionic radius of penetrating ions than the ions leaving the glass results in the strengthening of the glasses. As a result, the introduction of surface compression strengthens glasses and effectively reduces the probability of breakage from surface flaws (see V. M. Sglavo, “Chemical strengthening of soda lime silicate float glass: effect of small differences in the KNO₃bath,” Int J Appl Glass Sci, 2015, 6: 72-82). This strengthening technique has been widely used in glass products including aircraft cockpit windshields, transparent armor, glass container, and information technology devices (cell phones and tablets) (see M. Jacoby, “New Applications for Glass Emerge,” Chem. Eng. News, 90 [25] 34-36 (2012)). However, the lithium disilicate phase is not ion exchangeable due to the lack of mobile ions in its microstructure.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method for improving the flexural strength of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics through chemically strengthening (ion exchange) of the residual glass phase in the material. The flexural strength of glass-ceramics is more than doubled after ion exchange, which makes the flexural strength of the product glass-ceramic comparable to ZrO₂ceramics. The glass-ceramics have excellent bioactivity.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic composition, comprising: a first crystalline phase and a second crystalline phase, in combination, comprise a source of:

50 to 75 wt % SiO₂,

1 to 5 wt % Al₂O₃,

0.1 to 10% B₂O₃,

5 to 20 wt % Li₂O,

0.5 to 5 wt % Na₂O,

0.1 to 4% K₂O,

0.5 to 6 wt % P₂O₅

0.5 to 8% ZrO₂, and

0.1 to 1.0 wt % F⁻, based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic composition where the source is:

50 to 70 wt % SiO₂,

1 to 4 wt % Al₂O₃,

0.1 to 4% B₂O₃,

6 to 18 wt % Li₂O,

1 to 4 wt % Na₂O,

0.1 to 3% K₂O,

1 to 5 wt % P₂O₅

1 to 6% ZrO₂, and

0.1 to 1.0 wt % F⁻, based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

In embodiments, the glass-ceramic composition can further comprise having composition particles that have ion-exchanged surfaces having a reduced lithium ion (Li⁺) concentration and having at least one of an elevated sodium (Na⁺) concentration, an elevated potassium (K⁺) concentration, or an elevated concentrations of lithium ion (Li⁺) and sodium ion (Na⁺).

In embodiments, the glass-ceramic composition can have a first crystalline phase that comprises of from 50 to 99 wt % and a second crystalline phase that comprises of from 1 to 50 wt % based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic composition, comprising: a first crystalline phase and a second crystalline phase, in combination, comprising:

55 to 65 wt % SiO₂,

2 to 4 wt % Al₂O₃,

8 to 16 wt % Li₂O,

1 to 4 wt % Na₂O,

0.1 to 2% K₂O,

2 to 5 wt % P₂O₅

1 to 5% ZrO₂, and

0.1 to 1.0 wt % F⁻, based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic composition where the composition is free of B₂O₃.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a glass-ceramic comprising:

50 to 75 wt % SiO₂,

1 to 5 wt % Al₂O₃,

0.1 to 10% B₂O₃,

5 to 20 wt % Li₂O,

0.5 to 5 wt % Na₂O,

0.1 to 4% K₂O,

0.5 to 6 wt % P₂O₅

0.5 to 8% ZrO₂, and

0.1 to 1.0 wt % F⁻, based on a 100 wt % total of the composition.

In embodiments, the source or precursor batch composition has the same composition as the glass-ceramic. The bulk composition is essentially still the same composition after ion exchange. Only the surface composition changes as a result of surface ion exchange.

In embodiments, the glass-ceramic composition as an article has a flexural strength of from 300 to 2,000 MPa.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making a glass-ceramic article comprising:

forming a melt mixture of a source of:

50 to 75 wt % SiO₂,

1 to 5 wt % Al₂O₃,

0.1 to 10% B₂O₃,

5 to 20 wt % Li₂O,

0.5 to 5 wt % Na₂O,

0.1 to 4% K₂O,

0.5 to 6 wt % P₂O₅

0.5 to 8% ZrO₂, and

0.1 to 1.0 wt % F⁻, based on a 100 wt % total of the composition to form a glass-ceramic article; and

at least one chemical strengthening of the resulting glass-ceramic article.

In embodiments, the at least one chemical strengthening of the resulting glass-ceramic article can be accomplished by ion exchanging in NaNO₃, in KNO₃, or in a mixture thereof, for a suitable time, to reduce the concentration of lithium ion, sodium ion, or both, on the surface of the glass-ceramic article.

In embodiments, the article can be, for example, a suitable geometry or form factor, for example, a pattie, a dimensioned portion cut from a pattie, for example, a disc, a monolith, a plurality of particles, a drawn sheet, and like form factors, or combinations thereof.

In embodiments, the article has bioactivity before ion-exchanging.

In embodiments, the article has bioactivity after ion-exchanging.

The present disclosure is advantaged in several aspects, including for example:

lithium disilicate glass-ceramics having strengths comparable to ZrO₂ceramics can be achieved after ion exchange; and

the ion exchange process does not compromise the bioactivity of the disclosed glass-ceramics.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making lithium disilicate glass-ceramics that includes a chemically strengthening (e.g., ion exchange), and results in a glass-ceramic having increased flexural strength. The flexural strength of the disclosed glass-ceramic compositions is more than doubled after ion-exchange, e.g., to over 1000 MPa, which is comparable to that of ZrO₂ceramics. The high flexural strength enables the use of the disclosed lithium disilicate glass-ceramic compositions in multi-unit bridges for dental restoration. Unexpectedly, the disclosed chemical strengthening step does not impact the bioactivity of the resulting strengthened lithium disilicate glass-ceramic. The major phase in the disclosed glass-ceramics is lithium disilicate, and minor phases can be, for example, fluoroapatite and wollastonite. Both fluoroapatite and wollastonite are beneficial to the attachment and growth of osteoblastic cells.

In embodiments, the precursor glasses can comprise, for example, 50 to 75% SiO₂, 1 to 5% Al₂O₃, 0.1 to 10% B₂O₃, 5 to 20% Li₂O, 0.5 to 5% Na₂O, 0 to 4% K₂O, 0.5 to 8% ZrO₂, and 0.1 to 1.0% F⁻ based on the total weight percentage of 100 wt % (see Table 1).

In embodiments, the flexural strength of the lithium disilicate glass-ceramics can be improved by, for example, a factor of two as a result of the ion exchange treatment. By ion exchanging in KNO₃at 470° C. for 4 hr, the flexural strength of an example glass-ceramic Composition 9 was increased from 485 MPa to 1150 MPa (squares). In embodiments, the mechanical reliability (i.e., the probability of success: Reliability=1−Probability of Failure) was also improved as measured by an increase of the Weibull modulus (a dimensionless parameter of the Weibull distribution, which is used to describe variability in measured material strength of brittle materials), from 4 to over 120 (see FIG. 1). The flexural strength of the ion-exchanged glass-ceramic of the disclosure (e.g., 270) was much higher than a commercially available bioactive glass (i.e., 45S5 Bioglass®) (200), glass-ceramics (Biovert (210), A/W (230) (see L. L. Hench, “Bioceramics,” J Am Ceram Soc, 1998, 81: 1705-1728), IPS e.max (240), and IPS e.max CAD (250) (Fu, et al., “Nature-inspired design of strong, tough glass-ceramics,” MRS Bulletin, 2017, 42:220-225), or ceramics HA (220). The flexural strength of the ion-exchanged glass-ceramic of the disclosure (e.g., 1150) was comparable to ZrO₂ceramics (1000)(FIG. 2)(Fu, et al., MRS Bulletin, supra.). The flexural strength of the disclosed glass-ceramic compositions make them suitable biomaterial candidates for use in, for example, dental multi-unit bridges.

FIGS. 3A to 3I show a cell culture study on glass-ceramics before (3A to 3C) and after ion-exchanging (“IOX”) (3D to 3F). Cell morphology is evident for the un-ion-exchanged Example Composition 9 after: a) one day (3A), b) four days (3B), and c) seven days (3C). A similar cell morphology was observed on IOX'd parts (KNO₃, 470° C. for 4 hr) after: d) one day (3D); e) four days (3E); and f) seven days (3F). Comparable cell morphology was seen on TCT culture plates after: g) one day (3G); h) four days (3G); and i) seven days (3I). A MC3T3 cell line was used for cell culture test.

In embodiments, the bioactivity of the disclosed lithium disilicate containing articles was substantially or entirely retained after an ion-exchange strengthening step. Cell attachment and cell growth were clearly observed on the surfaces of the disclosed glass-ceramic articles with and without ion-exchange (FIG. 3). No visible difference in cell attachment at day 1, and cell expansion at day 4 and day 7 was observed between the non-ion-exchanged and the ion-exchanged materials. The cell morphology was also similar to those cultured on a Tissue Culture Treated® (TCT) culture wells. “TCT” refers to a tissue culture treated microplate substrate available from Corning, Inc®.

In embodiments, both Li₂O and Na₂O in residual glass phase can be ion exchanged to create a compressive stress layer in the surface of the ware to further improve mechanical strength.

Tables 1 and 2 list examples of the as-batched compositions. The ceramming cycle for each of the samples 1 to 15 was 700° C. at 2 hr and 800° C. at 4 hr.

TABLE 1

Examples of As-batched compositions.²

Oxides (wt %)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

SiO₂
70
65
60
55
60
60
70
65

B₂O₃
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Al₂O₃
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5

Li₂O
12
12
12
12
15
12
12
12

Na₂O
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

CaO
6
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

P₂O₅
4
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

ZrO₂
2
2
2
2
2
4
2
2

F⁻
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.5
0.5

Phase assemblage¹
A
A
A
B
C
D
E
E

Flexural strength
—
—
—
—
—
—
504
407

(MPa)

Fracture toughness
—
—
—
—
—
—
1.8
1.9

(MPa · m{circumflex over ( )}0.5)

TABLE 2

Examples of As-batched compositions.²

Oxides (wt %)
9
10
11
12
13
14
15

SiO₂
60
55
60
60
60
60
60

B₂O₃
0
0
0
0
2
4
6

Al₂O₃
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5

Li₂O
12
12
15
12
12
12
12

Na₂O
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

CaO
6
6
6
6
6
6
6

P₂O₅
4
4
4
4
4
4
4

ZrO₂
2
2
2
4
2
2
2

F⁻
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.5

Phase assemblage¹
I
G
J
H
I
I
I

Flexural strength
485
303
—
—
—
—
—

(MPa)

Fracture toughness
2.2
2.2
—
—
—
—
—

(MPa · m{circumflex over ( )}0.5)

1. Phase assemblage key for compositions of Tables 1 and 2:

- A=Lithium disilicate, cristobalite, wollastonite, β-quartz, lithiophosphate.
- B=Lithium disilicate, wollastonite, lithiophosphate.
- D=Lithium disilicate, β-quartz, lithiophosphate.
- E=Lithium disilicate, cristobalite, fluorapatite, β-quartz.
- G=Lithium disilicate, fluorapatite, lithium metasilicate, β-quartz.
- H=Lithium disilicate, fluorapatite, β-quartz.
- I=Lithium disilicate, fluorapatite, β-quartz, lithiophosphate.
- J=Lithium disilicate, lithium metasilicate, fluorapatite, β-quartz.

2. Sample Appearance: Samples of Examples 1 to 8 and 10 to 15 were translucent white; Example 9 was translucent/semi-transparent white.

Raw materials, equipment, or both, used to produce the compositions of the present disclosure, can introduce certain impurities or components that are not intentionally added, and can be present in the final glass composition. Such materials can be present in the disclosed compositions in minor amounts and are referred to as “tramp materials.”

Disclosed compositions can comprise the tramp materials, typically in trace amounts. Similarly, “iron-free,” “sodium-free,” “lithium-free,” “zirconium-free,” “alkali earth metal-free,” “heavy metal-free,” or like descriptions, mean that the tramp material was not purposefully added to the composition, but the composition may still comprise iron, sodium, lithium, zirconium, alkali earth metals, or heavy metals, etc., but in approximately tramp or trace amounts.

Unless otherwise specified, the concentrations of all constituents recited herein are expressed in terms of weight percent (wt %).

EXAMPLES

The following Examples demonstrate making, use, and analysis of the disclosed compositions and methods in accordance with the above general procedures.

Example 1

Preparation of Actual Example Glass-Ceramic Compositions Example Glass-Ceramic Compositions 1 to 15 listed in Tables 1 and 2, and their respective source batch materials in the indicated amounts, including for example, silica, boric acid, alumina, lithium carbonate, sodium carbonate, limestone, spodumene, aluminum metaphosphate, were individually combined and melted in an electric furnace. Prior to melting, the batch source materials were vigorously mixed in a plastic jar using a Turbula® mixer. Then the mixtures were transferred to a platinum crucible with an internal volume of approximately 650 cc and heated at 1350° C. for 6 hr, and then the glass melt was poured on a steel plate, and annealed at 500° C. to produce an article in the form of a pattie. Alternatively, the glass melt can be drawn into a glass-ceramic sheet article or a fiber article. The resulting article was ion-exchanged before or after further processing and as mentioned in Example 2.

Example 2

Further Processing of the Pattie Article of the Bioactive Composition of Example 1 The pattie or sheet of Example 1 was further processed into other useful forms, for example: cutting to produce a portion cut from a pattie such as a disc, or a monolith to desired dimensions; crushing to produce a plurality of particles by, for example, any suitable crushing or pulverizing equipment. The resulting article was ion-exchanged before or after the further processing mentioned here.

Example 3

Method of Attachment and Growth of Bone Cells with the Bioactive Composition of Example 1 Ion exchanged glass ceramic discs (12.5 mm in diameter×1 mm thick), obtained from disc cutting and ion-exchange mentioned in Example 2 and described further below, were placed into wells of 24 well microplates. MC3T3 cells were seeded to each well at a density of 10K/well and cultured for 1, 4, or 7 days in a humid incubator at 37° C. and at 5% CO₂. Calcein AM and Ethidium homodimer-1 were used to stain live/dead cells. The cell images were captured under a fluorescent microscope.

Glass-ceramic discs were prepared from cerammed parts. The precursor glass patties were cerammed in an electronic furnace using a cycle of 700° C. for 2 hr for nucleation and then 800° C. for 4 hr for crystal growth. After ceramming, parts (50.8 mm×50.8 m×1.0 mm thick) were cut from the patties using a diamond saw, and then ground and polished to a 1.0 micron finish using CeO₂slurry. All finished parts were cleaned by sonicating in an ultrasonic sonicater for 10 min.

Ion exchange was accomplished by immersing the finished parts in a NaNO₃, in a KNO₃, or a bath containing a mixture both salts. The bath was first heated up to 470° C. to obtain a molten salt and then parts were immersed for a suitable time for adequate ion exchange. The ion-exchanged parts were rinsed thoroughly with water and air dry prior to mechanical testing. Flexural strength was tested according to ASTM C1499-15. A ring on ring test-jig equipped with an Instron testing machine with a ring support of 25.4 mm in diameter and a loading ring of 12.7 mm in diameter was performed on finished samples. Flexural strength was determined based on the abovementioned ASTM procedure.

FIG. 2 was a listing of flexural strength from different compositions (200 to 260) from literature and compared to the flexural strength of the disclosed ion exchanged composition (270). The test procedure for example compositions was detailed in the example for FIG. 1.

The disclosure has been described with reference to various specific embodiments and techniques. However, many variations and modifications are possible while remaining within the scope of the disclosure.